Crazy Hair Day

Last week the boys had crazy hair day at school. They wanted their hair to be colored and Halloween is the only time of year you can find the colored hair spray in stores.

Back to School

AJ and JM started back to school at the end of August. JM was so excited to finally be going with AJ everyday. I was so excited to have a little quiet. Yeah, that didn't happen. It's like someone flipped a switch on Grasshopper and he's making up for JM being gone all day. Hopefully, we'll be able to settle into a routine soon.
Here they are on JM's first day which happened to be AJ's 3rd day. It was also yellow day at school so they wore yellow shirts. JM has been doing GREAT at school. He's getting good reviews from his teachers and they said he's like a little sponge just soaking everything up.

Faces Need

...paint. Grasshopper happily watched and didn't mind at all that he wasn't offered a chance to get painted on as well. I didn't figure he would hold still long enough anyway.

Cheating is Fun

Last month we went to a Renaissance Faire in Wake Forest. We took the children and some friends from church. The kids enjoyed seeing the jousting and the acrobats on horses. I of course had a blast because I love ren faires.
AJ decided he wanted to battle Nathan. It was $2 to fight for 3 rounds. And for $1 the knights would cheat on your behalf.
So, I cheated for AJ. I didn't get a picture of Nathan getting thrown off from behind because I was laughing to hard. This picture was taken right before the guy on the left knocked Nathan off of his little wobble board. Needless to say AJ won.

It Is What It Is

Kinghts Who Say 'Nee!'

AJ and JM have a couple of swords and shields from our Fall Festival at church. Last weekend we decided to see how well they would do facing off in the yard. This was just before the sadness occurred.
JM was very aggressive in his attacks and AJ played it safe, relying on his shield to do most of the work.





And in the end, JM chased AJ around the yard. Not much of a surprise.

Outdoor Fun

Yesterday was a beautiful day outside. There was no wind and a lovely 60 degrees. It was partly cloudy and perfect for playing outside. We spent most of it outside running around and playing. I'm loving the new telephoto lens Nathan got me for Christmas.

What a Memory

Two years ago we went to KY to visit family for Thanksgiving. Grasshopper was three months old at the time, this was before he ever got sick. While we were there my brother shot a turkey on the farm. AJ had just turned 5 at this point. That's my brother and his son is holding the turkey.
Today we were in the store and I was picking out a roasting pan for our turkey. AJ asked what it was for and I said that I was going to roast a turkey in it on Thanksgiving.
His face light up and he gasped, "Is Uncle Michael going to shoot a turkey for us?"
I laughed and told him no.
"Then where are we going to get one?" he asked.
"I'll buy it at the store, it will already be dead."
His face fell, "Oh, I wanted to watch Uncle Michael shoot it."
I cracked up.

Happy Birthday AJ!

This past Wednesday was AJ's 7th birthday. I can't believe he's 7. It seems like yesterday that he was just a baby. sniff sniff. We didn't throw a big party this year. We usually have a big family shindig but being so far from all of them we just had cake and he opened his present from Mom and Dad.

The End of An Era

Seven years ago this month I set up my first crib. AJ's due date was right around the corner and I couldn't wait for him to come. By this time I was off work because of pre-term labor and we filled our days with getting ready and putting a birthday hat on my belly. Auntie kept telling him to come out so she could kiss his face off. That's why I think he was late. He was worried about Auntie.
Since that time I have had a crib up in out house. When AJ outgrew his it was time to get it ready for JM. JM demolished that crib by knocking it over frequently. We bought a new one for Little Peanut and before she was out of it Grasshopper had arrived and had his own.
Last night we took Grasshopper's crib apart. Yesterday he wanted his blanket so he climbed into his crib and back out again. That's the sign, no more crib, it's time for a big boy bed. It was the end of an era here. Very sad. My babies are getting so big.
Here's a few pictures from the years. I searched and searched but couldn't find the picture of Little Peanut in her crib. So here are the boys. AJ almost seven years ago. JM. Grasshopper. Happy to be in his big boy bed. He did a good job staying in it too! It makes me a little sad to not have a baby in a crib. Now, when we don't have any more diapers I'll throw a PARTY!!!

Playing

Here's a photo of AJ. I messed around with it some on photoshop and cropped it. I'm still figuring out how to do some things.
Here's one of both of the boys.

Soccer

This year JM is finally old enough to play soccer, much to his delight. He plays with lots of enthusiasm. Both of the boys are on navy teams but they are in different age groups. Thankfully this morning they both had a game at the same time.
Here are the highlights.
We need to work on what it means to be a goalie. His team dominated today so those who played goalie really didn't have a lot to do.
Here's Mr. Enthusiastic!

Wordless Wednesday

Field Trip

Since we are homeschooling AJ this year we decided that it was important to us to join the local homeschool association. So far we're very pleased with it. They have more activities a year than you can shake a stick at, from preschool outings/playgroups music classes, p.e. classes to high school science fairs/historian clubs and even a graduation ceremony complete with yearbooks. AJ is in the first grade this year and we had our first field trip yesterday. He's gone on field trips before but with so many others at home I haven't had an opportunity to go with him.
Yesterday we went to a local fire station. Since it's all homeschoolers I got to take JM as well. Little Peanut and Grasshopper went to a sitter. The weather was beautiful, sunny skies and a cool breeze. We got a tour of the fire station and a tour of all the tools on the fire truck.
The sun was just a little bright.
One of the fire fighters demonstrated how they put on all their gear and what they sound like when they are breathing with their air masks on. They do sound just like Darth Vader. After putting everything on slowly and talking about each piece he gave a us a speed demonstration. These firefighters are required to be completely dressed in under 60 seconds. They wouldn't put their air tanks and helmets on until they get to the scene but he did for us. And I videoed it. hehe. (stupid computer...I can't turn my video right side up. please don't get a crick in you neck!)
Afterwards the kids all got firehats and books. What a fun first field trip. I'm looking forward to more.

Leftovers

These are a few pictures that got left out of all of our Spring break posts. Enjoy!